On working meeting between Alexey Miller and Odd Roger Enoksen
Message to the Media
Today, at Gazprom’s Headquarters, Alexey Miller, Chairman of Gazprom's Management Committee met with Odd Roger Enoksen, Petroleum and Energy Minister of the Kingdom of Norway.
Within the intergovernmental accords achieved earlier the parties discussed the prospects for mutual cooperation in developing the Arctic offshore and agreed on further activities in this sector.
In particular, the meeting addressed possible utilization of Norway’s advanced technologies for the Shtokman gas condensate field geological survey & development and liquefied natural gas production.
In addition, the parties looked into collaboration in LNG production, transmission infrastructure expansion and marketing to the USA and other countries.
Odd Roger Enoksen pointed out that the Norwegian Government was creating favorable conditions for stronger business ties between Gazprom and Norwegian energy companies such as Statoil and Hydro.
The parties expressed a common opinion that Norway’s experience of gas & oil production, transmission and marketing together with Gazprom’s experience of implementing large-scale projects in northern Russia were a guarantee for the long-term and mutually beneficial partnership and stronger European energy security.
Background
The Kingdom of Norway is the second-largest natural gas exporter to Europe, exporting 75.4 bcm as of the end of 2004. The oil and gas share in Norway’s GDP averages 15 per cent.
Norway’s major explored natural gas reserves are located in the North Sea and account for some 3.29 tcm.
The Shtokman gas condensate field development is a top priority project of Gazprom in the LNG sector. So far, Gazprom has come up with a short-list of companies – its potential partners in executing the first phase of the Shtokman development project including the construction of a natural gas liquefaction plant. Said list includes such firms as Statoil, Total, Chevron, Hydro and ConocoPhillips. In the first quarter of 2006, Gazprom is resolute to select two or three companies that will form a consortium for the Shtokman project implementation.
The Shtokman gas condensate field is located in the central part of the Russian sector of the Barents Sea offshore, 650 km from the city of Murmansk.
As of 1 January 1995, Shtokman’s C1+C2 reserves approved by the RF Nature Ministry’s State Commission for Mineral Reserves (Protocol №379 from 17 May 1995) accounted for 3.2 tcm and 31 mln t of gas and condensate, respectively.
On 18 January 2006 the RF Nature Ministry’s State Commission for Mineral Reserves approved an increase in the Shtokman gas condensate field reserves. The reserves were increased based on the data obtained through 3D seismic survey. The reserve hike is another indication of the Shtokman’s high production and economic potential.
Information Directorate, OAO Gazprom